Meta Healthcare Ltd becomes first company to join new facility, advancing treatments for patients with rare metabolic diseases

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has launched its first scale-up facility at Sci-Tech Daresbury, to help ambitious north west start-ups bridge the gap between early success and sustainable commercial growth.

Meta Healthcare Ltd is the first company to join, strengthening its mission to develop treatments for rare metabolic diseases that require life-long care.

Located within the Liverpool City Region, the new facility builds on the campus’s established reputation as a nationally significant innovation hub, supporting businesses at every stage of their growth journey.

From start-up to scale-up
Scale-up companies play a vital role in the UK economy, creating high-value jobs, driving productivity, and turning innovation into real-world impact that benefits our lives.

However, this critical stage is often difficult to navigate, and research shows that 78% of companies that successfully build a product still fail to scale effectively.

STFC’s new fully fitted laboratories for scale-ups are designed to help businesses reduce capital outlay and the other risks associated with scaling their business.

Through short-term, affordable leases and access to specialist business, technical and regulatory expertise, the facility will help companies develop the capabilities and partnerships needed to compete and succeed in commercial markets.

Improving lives through innovation
Meta Healthcare Ltd began its journey at Daresbury Laboratory, within its dedicated incubation facilities designed to support early‑stage life science businesses with flexible laboratory space and specialist technical and commercial guidance.

Since then, the company has delivered strong global commercial traction and significant progress in its research and development programmes.

The move into a new scale‑up laboratory has doubled Meta Healthcare’s research and office footprint, enabling rapid business expansion while advancing its pipeline of innovative treatments for rare metabolic diseases, including PKU (Phenylketonuria), MSUD (Maple syrup urine disease ) and HCU (Homocystinuria).